March in the Front Range is a period of change.  We may start fully in the grip of winter, but longer days of sunshine and increasing temperature mean that our lakes and reservoirs are often in transition from barren, ice-covered expanses to open water welcoming waterfowl and shorebirds.

Such was the conundrum that faced our Saturday, March 11, 2023, Beginner Bird Walk group.  On the previous Thursday, Harriman Lake, our planned destination, remained mostly ice-covered, with limited opportunities and locations for bird observation.  We thus opted for birding South Platte Park, located in the South Platte River Watershed downstream of Chatfield Reservoir. There, the water surfaces of the smaller ponds in the floodplain were mostly ice-free, as was the South Platte itself. The effect of this partial ice-cover was to help concentrate waterfowl and provide better opportunities for study. When we started temperatures were ~45°F, with a partly cloudy sky that turned mostly sunny as our walk progressed, with a moderate breeze (~5-15 mph) for most of the walk.

We were fortunate to have multiple opportunities to observe waterfowl from the moment the walk began.  As we moved from a small unnamed pond at the beginning of the walk to the Eastern shore of Eaglewatch Lake, we had ample opportunities to observe and compare duck species. Gadwalls, Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, Green-Winged Teal, and Hooded Merganser were prominent. They were easily observed, discussed and photographed.  

With the northern end of Eaglewatch Lake still ice covered, walking east to Redtail Lake gave us a unique opportunity to watch hundreds of Northern Shovelers, many of them in large groups. These striking and easily identified birds were busy demonstrating their signature feeding behavior: they concentrate their food by spinning in circles, stirring up tasty bits from the lake bottom for an easy communal meal.

Throughout the morning, we also observed numerous birds of the riparian landscape.  Northern Flickers were common and constantly calling, a sign of spring’s approach.  Two Red Tailed Hawks flew overhead, providing an opportunity to distinguish between full adult and juvenile plumages.  A juvenile Northern Shrike, seen as we were nearing the end of our walk, was a great closing highlight of great morning.

The full list of species and numbers observed follows. Hope to see you out on a future Evergreen Audubon Bird Walk!

–Ed Furlong

Gadwall                                        95

American Wigeon                        3

Mallard                                         50

Green-winged Teal                       11

Lesser Scaup                                 15

Bufflehead                                    30

Common Goldeneye                    9

Hooded Merganser                      23

American Coot                             1

Killdeer                                         1

Ring-billed Gull                             1

gull sp.                                          1

Great Blue Heron                         1

Red-tailed Hawk                           2

Belted Kingfisher                          2

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)    12

Northern Shrike                           1

Black-billed Magpie                      2

American Crow                            6

Common Raven                            2

Black-capped Chickadee              14

Townsend’s Solitaire                    1

American Robin                           3

House Finch                                 2

Song Sparrow                               9

Spotted Towhee                           1